Not Michael James Slattery

In the last month, industry ethical and business industry issues have been front and center on The Wedding Marketing Blog. There have have been a number of posts related to Bella Pictures, its overall business model, changing personnel at the top level of the company, questionable public relations, bad bridal advice, and philisophical differences in their leadership ranks.

Today, former Bella Pictures photographer, Michael James Slattery, launched a blog lambasting the company. Slattery did not just arrive on the scene. He has shot over 500 wedding events for Bella Pictures; first as a contracted freelancer, then as an employee.

The change in his relationship with Bella Pictures begin in April 2008 when George White, co-founder, VP Photography was replaced by Tahra Makinson-Sanders. Suffice it to say, the relationship between Makinson-Sanders and Slattery became frosty, over time, resulting in his termination about a week ago.

Comment: The curious issue for me is how a veteran of 500 wedding events could suddenly become so easily discarded. You’ll find his emails to be both angry and aggressive. His tone reached this level in emails, essentially because he could found no satisfaction in phone calls. It is his belief that he was not getting straight answers or explanations, and. well….. he went off.

Draw your own conclusions by reading Slattery’s blog which posts his overview and an extensive exchange of emails.

Why I’m still interested in this issue:

Please read Slattery’s blog post, and post your comments here.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Blog

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, Bella Pictures, bridal advice, Jenny Lefcourt, Michael James Slattery, propaganda, Public Relations, Tahra Makinson-Sanders, Wedding Marketing Authority

From dictionary.com: u-nique: having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.

Snowflakes and fingerprints are unique. Hate to drop this on you, but most weddings are not unique.

If one has worked at enough reception, you know there may a unique element or two at any wedding. However, it’s rare that one is blown away by original thoughts, at every turn.

What is annoying is the lack of creativity in copywriting for advertising to the bride. When a slew of other advertisers define their product or service as you unique, the word loses meaning and impact on the prospect.

Your wedding marketing message will have far greater impact if you can write engaging copy that intrigues the bride.

Now, if your business name, headline, sub-headline or slogan don’t contain the word unique, then please enjoy the holiday. If, on the other hand, you are using the word, unique, that is a felony copywriting offense. The Wedding Police hereby gives you a warning, and asks that you come back in 30 days with new creative.

Don’t agree. Most your comment and make your case.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: advertising, Andy Ebon, cliche, fingerprints, snowflakes, unique, unique wedding, wedding marketing, Wedding Marketing Authority, wedding reception

Time flies. Yes it does. As the Independence ads started inundating me with red, white, & blue, I knew the firecracker stands couldn’t be far behind.

What hit me next is tomorrow is July 1st,  marking the beginning of 2009: Part 2. To our Canadian friends, July 1st is Canada Day (a national holiday) and start of the NHL draft. But I digress…

As a wedding marketer, the calendar change to July should be a prompter for making an assessment of your first-half-2009 accomplishments and your prospects for the balance of the year.

Don’t let the calendar run your business. Take a day or two (not necessarily on the holiday) to step back make mid-year corrections and adjustments.

If you are proactive, the second half of 2009 should be even more productive and prosperous for you.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing  Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, Facebook, independence day, July 4th, LinkedIn, mid-year adjustments, Twitter, wedding marketer, Wedding Marketing Authority